At 08:31 PM 4/18/98 -0500, Michael Schapansky wrote:
>My question is, how many of you list members routinely use gloves when
>handling peppers? What happens if you don't?
As a matter of routine, I do NOT use gloves or other protection when working
with chiles; this is a matter of practice and knowing what you can get away
with (inured by several mistakes of the type you describe). That's not to say
there haven't been times I WISH I had done so...
I have never experienced any kind of welting or rash when I DO get chile
exudates on my hands. The most common side-effect is that if I cut and
handle chiles in the evening, then the next morning when I shower, I find
that the hot water "re-activates" the chile oils and causes a mild but not
unpleasant tingling/heat sensation on my hands.
Jonathan
***************
<bold>Conservative</bold>, <italic>n.</italic> A statesman who is
enamored of existing
evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to
replace them with others.
- Ambrose Bierce, <italic>The Devil's Dictionary</italic>